Local officials praise bill to treat 17-year-old offenders as juveniles

Second Chance Bill co-authored by Sen. Jerry Petrowski

9:52 PM,
Jan. 16, 2014

Written by

Shereen Siewert
Daily Herald Media

Local officials are praising a bill that aims to send 17-year-old first-time offenders who commit nonviolent crimes back to the juvenile justice system in Wisconsin.

The Second Chance Bill, authored by Sen. Jerry Petrowski, R-Marathon, and Rep. Gary Bies, R-Sister Bay, is a good policy that should become law, Marathon County Sheriff Scott Parks said. Wisconsin is one of only 10 states that treat all 17-year-old offenders automatically as adults.

"A 17-year-old could easily be taken care of in the juvenile justice system," Parks said. "This bill allows for a second chance for kids who make ...